Estuaries Restoration

OERG began in 2004 as residents became aware of the effects of increasing areas of mangroves on the estuaries surrounding the Omokoroa Peninsula.

Long-time residents remembered the white sand beaches, fishing, sport and clear water and so a committee was formed to try to reclaim these. With great community support an application was successfully made to the BOP Regional Council for a Resource Consent to manage the expansion of mangroves in some prescribed estuary areas.

After some years of community ‘hard labour’ cutting out mangroves in the mud, an Environmental consent in 2010 allowed mechanical removal of mangroves in the consented areas by the Regional Council. Maintenance of cleared areas and seedling removal continues with volunteer help.

In the harbour plant expansion is due to sediment coming down from streams and slips in the upper catchment areas as well as from building and subdivision development and the Regional Council is working on control in these areas.

The OERG committee is now focussed on maintenance along the estuary foreshores and works with community help on planting and weed control along the esplanade reserve areas in co-operation with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. This work always needs helpers so if you are interested please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For monitoring results click here.